Question:
Hi;
I had a sore on my labia about 2 1/2 weeks ago. a cuture was done and it came back positive for HSV-1 but Type 2 results said none isolated. My doc gave me a blood test to be sureand the results were as follows:
Herpes Simplex 1 IgG 1.03
normal range 0.00-0.89
Herpes Simplex 2 IgG 4.38
normal range 0.00-0.89
Herpes viruses 1and 2 IgM
HSV IgM AB TITER 1:20
normal range <1:10

I don't understand. whey would the culture be negative for HSV-2 and pick up HSV-1 but the blood test are positive for both? are these blood tests accurate? is there anyway that I only have HSV-1 genitally? but where would the HSV-2 come into play?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank You

Answer:
I am new to H, but it seems like anything more than .90 means positive. Check out this http://www.labcorp.com/datasets/labc...o/se036800.htm

Answer:
bklyngirl25,
The culture test your doctor performed does NOT type the virus...it cannot. A culture test takes the fluid in the blister and places it in a petri dish just to see if the virus thrives. They can only determine that it is herpes from the culture. Usually genital herpes is HSV 2 so that may be why your doctor told you that. However, you can have HSV 1 genitally. Now in order to find the type that you have, that is done with bloodwork. The bloodwork looks for antibodies that your body has built up to each virus. Your antibodies are different for each virus. I am not a doctor but I have researched the HELL out of this virus. I'm also a teacher so it is in my nature to want to help people. So here it goes. You had a very low count for HSV 1 this could be because you just contracted it or because it is a false negative. Sometimes becoming infected with one virus can alter the results of the other. However, your count for HSV 2 is pretty high. You have probably had it for a little while...more than a few weeks. I would say you definitely have HSV 2. Go back in a few weeks an have the bloodwork done again. You should see a slight rise in the HSV 2 # of antibodies and maybe the HSV 1 will stablilize. Should the HSV 1 rise though...you most likely have both. Determining where you have them is difficult...they can infect either region of the body. HSV 1 prefers the mouth (but can infect the genitals), HSV 2 prefers the genitals (but can infect the mouth). If you have a substantial # of outbreaks (more than 3 or 4 in year) in either region then you most likely have oral HSV 1 and genital HSV 2. Read up on suppressant antiviral meds, foods to avoid and foods to eat. Take lysine, watch you caffeine. Hope this helps.
Hopeful1234

Answer:
I have a similar question. My culture came back positive, but my blood test came back negative for herpes antibodies. Does this mean my infection is new? Could herpes sit in my body for a long time and not outbreak and not build antibodies? I'm so confused right now. All I want to do is scream or cry or both.

Answer:
if you are new to herpes, then yes, you can test positive with a culture and have a negative blood test. Generally, it takes the antibodies about 3 months to show up.

I was under the assumption that they DO have cultures now to type test the virus....1 of 2? am I incorrect on this? Perhaps it costs more, hence the reason many clinics and docs do not use it.....correct me if I am wrong on this, somebody....